Lucky Muse

Lucky Mitchell Muse, 69, of Arcadia, Florida, passed away on August 31st, 2026, leaving behind a family, a business, a community, and a legacy made better because he was here.

Lucky was born on November 9, 1956, in Pioneer, Tennessee, to Virgil and Jessie Lay Muse. His mother later brought Lucky and his siblings to Florida in search of work and a better life. It was during those early years that the character that would define Lucky throughout his life began to take shape.

At just 14 years old, while his mother was pregnant and temporarily unable to work, Lucky left school and went to work to help provide for his mother and four siblings. He drove hay trucks, picked oranges and watermelons, built swimming pools, worked construction cleanup, and took whatever honest work he could find. He simply did what needed to be done.

That 14-year-old boy who stepped up when his family needed him never really changed. For the rest of his life, Lucky took care of people. As he grew older, years of hard work eventually opened the door for Lucky to operate a service station in Avon Park, Florida. Then, in 1980, he and his wife, Wendy, began what would become Arcadia Amoco.

Lucky married Wendy, the love of his life, on May 17, 1979. For more than 47 years, they built a life together rooted in shared values, hard work, family, and commitment. They worked side by side, raised their family, weathered life's challenges, celebrated its blessings, and built something far greater together than either could have built alone.

Over the next 46 years, Lucky and Wendy grew a business that would employ hundreds of local people and serve generations of families throughout the community. To Lucky, however, the people who worked alongside him were never simply employees. Many became family.

He poured into them many of the same lessons he taught his own children: work hard, have a goal, take responsibility, persevere when things are difficult, and never be afraid to take action toward making tomorrow better than today. Lucky taught those lessons best by living them. Although he accomplished much through decades of hard work and perseverance, his greatest investment was always in people.

Lucky loved his community and believed deeply in supporting it. Over the years, he supported local sports from little league through high school, as well as 4-H, FFA, and many other community programs.

Much of what he did was done quietly and without recognition. When a child needed help with the cost of participating, Lucky often stepped in simply because he believed they deserved the same opportunity as everyone else.

There was a simple saying that captured his heart well: Kids eat first.

Perhaps that belief began with the 14-year-old boy who understood what it meant for a family to need someone to step up. Whatever its beginning, Lucky spent the rest of his life making sure the children around him were cared for.

He never cared much about having the nicest vehicle, the nicest clothes, or the best things for himself. He simply wanted the best for his family. Lucky believed it was his job to take care of the hard things so the kids could enjoy the fun parts, and he did this well.

His children and grandchildren were not simply part of Lucky's life; they were at the center of it. If there was a ballgame, an activity, a gathering, or anything else involving his family, that was where he wanted to be. You would often find him bouncing a child on his knee singing one of his songs: Pig in a Pen, Daisy a Day, Hey Good Lookin', and many more. His grandchildren knew him lovingly as LuckyPa, Pa, and Poppie, and few things brought him greater joy than spoiling them. There never seemed to be a time when he was too tired, too busy, or even too sick to make time for them. He loved watching the kids eat, laugh, play, and simply enjoy being together.

Lucky also loved telling stories and hearing the old ones again. His stories, sayings, lessons, and memories became part of the fabric of his family. Those who heard them countless times would gladly sit and listen to them once more.

Lucky attended North Hillsborough Baptist Church under Pastor Ellis Cross, and his faith grew especially strong during the final season of his life. Looking back over his story, his family can see God's hand throughout it, from the young boy learning perseverance and responsibility to the husband, father, grandfather, businessman, and friend who would spend a lifetime using those qualities to care for others.

Lucky was preceded in death by his parents, Virgil and Jessie Lay Muse; his brother, Ricky Muse; his beloved son, Brandon Muse; Donald and Ruth Lay; and Willy Lay. He is survived by his loving wife, Wendy Muse; his daughter, Brittany Ingman and son-in-law, Jordan; his son, Travis Muse and daughter-in-law, Brittany; his daughter-in-law, Jennie Muse; his siblings, Russell Muse, Vicky Sibley, and Steve Muse; and his nine grandchildren: Randall Muse, Madison Muse, Bailey Muse, Morgan Muse, Darcie Muse, Emory Muse, Riley Lucky Ingman, Lucas Ingman, and Caleb Ingman; his aunts and uncles, Sheila Lay (Uncle Benny), Marjorie Lay (Uncle Bob), and Roy Lay (Aunt Marjorie); and many nieces and nephews that he adored.

Those who knew Lucky know that his life cannot be measured simply by the businesses he built, the years he lived, or even the number of people he helped. His legacy lives in the people he poured himself into.

It lives in the family he worked so hard to provide for, the team members he taught and encouraged, the children who were given an opportunity because someone quietly helped, and the grandchildren who always knew LuckyPa would make time for them.

It lives in a community that is better because Lucky Muse spent his life being part of it.

And it lives in the lessons he leaves behind:

Work hard. Put others first. Take care of your family. Have a goal. Take action. Don't give up. And when there are children around, make sure the kids eat first.

Lucky Mitchell Muse poured himself into the people he loved, and because he did, his legacy will continue through them for generations to come.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 10:30 AM at First Baptist Church in Arcadia, Florida with Funeral Services starting immediately after at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at Joshua Creek Cemetery on September 12, 2026, at 2:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to North Hillsborough Baptist Church.